Pacers rookies to get minutes

Most rookies tend to play very few minutes. But on the Pacers there’s room for almost anyone who can play to have an impact. The Indianapolis Star (Mike Wells) reports:

There were questions about them coming into training camp. Some wondered if center Roy Hibbert could make the transition from playing in a halfcourt offense at Georgetown to the up-tempo style of Indiana Pacers coach Jim O’Brien. The concern surrounding Brandon Rush was if he could crack the rotation at one of the wing positions, the Pacers’ deepest. The rookies have gone through growing pains, but they’ve also done enough to earn a place in the rotation when the regular season opens Wednesday in Detroit… Hibbert will back up starter Rasho Nesterovic and Rush will be in the mix at shooting guard and small forward. They were the first two players off the bench Thursday.

It’ll be especially interesting to see how Hibbert plays, considering he stayed in college longer than he had to.

Oct 23: Pacers 114, Mavs 91

The AP reports: Danny Granger scored 24 points, T.J. Ford had 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Dallas Mavericks 114-91 on Thursday night in the final preseason game for both teams. Marquis Daniels added 22 points and nine rebounds, and Rasho Nesterovic had 14 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers (4-4). Josh Howard scored 19 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mavericks (4-4).

Pacers waive Croshere and J.Davis

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have waived forwards Austin Croshere and Josh Davis.  The Pacers roster now stands at 15.

“This was an extremely difficult decision to waive Austin,” said Pacers General Manager David Morway. “Austin’s a terrific professional and has represented this franchise extremely well and we appreciate his passion, dedication and commitment to the Pacers over the years.” 

Croshere played for the Pacers from 1997-2006.  In those nine seasons he averaged 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.  He was traded to Dallas in 2006 for Marquis Daniels and played for Golden State in 2007-08.  Davis is a three-year veteran of the NBA, having played for Atlanta, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Houston and Phoenix.  He has career averages of 2.5 ppg and 1.7 rpg. Morway added, “both Austin and Josh had very good camps and we think both players will find a place in the NBA this season.”

Oct 21: Hornets 101, Pacers 96

The AP reports: Chris Paul’s midseason-like form kept the New Orleans Hornets undefeated in the preseason. Paul had 23 points, 15 assists, five rebounds and three steals in 36 minutes, leading the New Orleans Hornets to a 101-96 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night… David West added 26 points, hitting 12 of 17 shots in the Hornets’ return home from their two-game trip to Berlin and Barcelona last week… Danny Granger, a New Orleans native, led Indiana (3-4) with 20 points in 37 minutes. T.J. ford added 14 points, while Troy Murphy had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Oct 18: Spurs 106, Pacers 98

The AP reports: Tony Parker had 19 points and eight assists in 23 minutes, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Indiana Pacers 106-98 in a preseason game Saturday night. Matt Bonner, starting in place of the resting Tim Duncan, scored 15 points and Michael Finley added 13 on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point territory for the Spurs (3-2). Marquis Daniels led Indiana (3-3) with 18 points, going 4-of-6 from behind the arc… Troy Murphy, playing for the first time this preseason after missing the first five games with a sore left foot, scored 12 points in 19 minutes while shooting 5-of-7.

Oct 17: Pacers 112, Grizzlies 86

The AP reports: Rookies Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert continue to put up big numbers for the Indiana Pacers. Rush had 17 points and five rebounds, and Hibbert added 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, leading the Pacers to a 112-86 preseason victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night… Stephen Graham had 16 points, Danny Granger scored 12 and T.J. Ford chipped in 11 for the Pacers, who improved to 3-2 in the preseason… Rudy Gay had 19 points, rookie O.J. Mayo scored 17 and Hakim Warrick 10 as Grizzlies dropped to 2-4 in the preseason.

Oct 15: Pacers 100, Mavs 93

The AP reports: Danny Granger had 18 points and rookies Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert scored 15 apiece, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 100-93 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in a preseason game Wednesday night… Antoine Wright scored 14 points, James Singleton added 11 points and nine rebounds, and DeSagana Diop contributed 10 points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks, who dropped to 3-1 in the preseason.

Eddie Jones and Pacers agree to part ways

Eddie Jones will not join the Pacers but the franchise will recoup the ability to sign another player as a result of an agreement reached today.

Jones was acquired by the Pacers from Dallas, along with two second-round picks and cash, in exchange for Shawne Williams on Oct. 10.

The 36-year-old veteran guard made it clear he preferred not to play this season.

The Pacers worked with agent Leon Rose and reached an agreement that lowers the salary-cap figure for the one season remaining on Jones’ contract, thus clearing enough room for the team to sign another player to a veteran minimum contract without exceeding the NBA Luxury Tax threshold.

Oct 13: Grizzlies 103, Pacers 95

The AP reports: Rookie guard O.J. Mayo scored 26 points, including six 3-pointers, to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 103-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night… In addition to Mayo’s contributions, the Grizzlies got production from another rookie. Marc Gasol, brother of former Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol, scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. Rudy Gay finished with 16 points. T.J. Ford had 18 points for Indiana (1-2). Jarrett Jack and Roy Hibbert each added 17.

Oct 10: Pacers 102, Bulls 95

The AP reports: The Pacers sent Williams to Dallas on Friday for Eddie Jones, cash and draft picks. Brandon Rush, a rookie, took advantage of the available minutes and scored nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to lead Indiana past the Chicago Bulls 102-95 in a preseason game… T.J. Ford scored 18 points and Marquis Daniels added 13 for the Pacers (1-1). Tyrus Thomas had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Aaron Gray added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls (0-2). Chicago guard Derrick Rose, the first pick in the 2008 draft, had 13 points and six assists.